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On Friday, a Berlin startup became the first medical cannabis company to list on the Frankfurt stock exchange.
After a draft of the German government’s cannabis legalization measure was leaked, it seems the EU country is getting closer to setting up retail marijuana distribution, possession and home cultivation.
With the ticker symbol “HIGH,” shares of the Berlin-based company HIGH, +200.93% rose as high as €19.70 Euros after the IPO was priced at €6.48 per share. One Euro equals $1.04 US dollar.
The First MMJ Company On the Frankfurt Stock Exchange
Cantourage, a startup founded in 2019 that imports, processes and distributes marijuana for medicinal purposes, was looking for a cash influx to fund its expansion in a “dynamic market,” after noting the emerging industry growth in Germany and across Europe.
“It’s time to democratize the medical cannabis market in Germany and offer investors the opportunity to participate early,” said Philip Schetter, Cantourage CEO.
Barron’s reported that at the market opening, the new entrant debuted at €6.48 per share, achieving a valuation of €86.6 million euros.
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Listed on the Frankfurt stock market’s Scale segment for small and medium-sized companies, Cantourage aims to raise capital through a private placement of around 15% of its shares. The company also seeks to develop production capabilities and “make preparations for the upcoming legalization of recreational cannabis.”
Imports will need to be stepped up to meet expected future demand for marijuana, according to the company, which currently has 38 partnerships with suppliers in 17 countries.
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According to a survey presented by Health Minister Karl Lauterbach, roughly four million adults use marijuana in Germany, indicating a substantial illicit market involving the cannabis trade.
Lauterbach said the new plan represents “the most liberal legalization of cannabis in Europe,” which will result in “the most regulated market” in the EU, though it needs to be reviewed by the European Commission before taking further action.
This article originally appeared on Benzinga and has been reposted with permission.
